LAE StatCom Maintaining Voltage Flunctuations
The Static Var Generator (SVG/STATCOM) stationed at East Taraka Substation in Lae is now in full operation thus maintaining voltage stability on the distribution network in Lae.
The STATCOM had no problem since 2011 when it was first installed until January 2016 when a fault with its electronics forced PPL to shut it down.
However, the spare parts were flown in from Australia and installed on Saturday 25 July 2016 and now the STATCOM is running and controlling voltage fluctuation on the Lae transmission and distribution network.
According to PPL CEO Chris Bais, voltage stability in Lae was a challenge when the STATCOM went offline and caused minor instability on the supply to customers. He says he is now happy that there has not been any unexpected disturbance on the network since 25 June.
On the Ramu Grid, PPL installed a 10 MVAr STATCOM at Taraka Substation in 2011. In addition, a 11 MVAr STATCOM for Madang at Meiro Substation was installed in December 2014. Moreover, PPL installed another 11 MVAr STATCOM at the Boroko Substation on October 2014.
The purpose of the STATCOM which are currently connected to the 132 kiloVolt (kV) and 66kV Substations in Ramu and Port Moresby grids respectively are to improve the power quality by controlling voltage and perform effective reactive power compensation.
STATCOM is the third generation of dynamic reactive compensation technology with quick response, good harmonic performance and high reliability. It plays an important role in energy saving, grid stability and reliability, and power quality management.
This technology is first of its kind in Papua New Guinea and PNG Power becomes the first electricity utility in the Pacific Region to adopt the STATCOM technology.
At the power generation stations, STATCOM manages and minimizes the reactive power component supplied by the generators which prevent winding temperature rise thus enabling maximum power output from the generating units.
On the transmission and distribution systems, it improves voltage stability, power quality and maintains voltage to 1.0 per unit level between the generating source and customer ends. STATCOM also corrects power factor and filter harmonics in the electricity supply system.
Low voltage units are also available for connection to customer installations, providing dynamic voltage support and control. STATCOM technology replaces capacitors which were traditionally used as a fixed voltage support mechanism.
PNG Power has provided the solution to these particular problems for customers in the Port Moresby and Ramu grids with the installation of the three (3) STATCOM machines and they are improving power quality and stability within these major power grids.
